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l1 Sheets-@Sheet 1.

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W. J. EDWARDS.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

(No Model.) 11 Sheets Sheet?.

W. J. EDWARDS.

. GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

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11 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

W.`J. EDWARDS. GRADING AND DIATGHING MACHINE.

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illllllll (No Model.) 11 Sheets- Sheet 4; W. J.'EDWARDS. GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE'. No. 393,467. l Patented Nov. 27,1888.

11 Sheets-Sheet 5. W. J.. EDWARDS.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 27, 1888.

(No Model.)

(No Model.)` 1l Shevets'-.Sheeit 6. W.v J. EDWARDS.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE. l No. 393,467. Patented' NOV. 27, 1888,.

la? ff i N. FETERS. Fhum-Lmwgnphor. wnnhingion. D, C.

11 Sheets-Sheet 7.

(No Model.)

W. J. EDWARDS.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

Patented NOV. 27, 1888 fda/M,

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v(N0 Model.) 11 Sheets-Sheet 8.

W.v J. EDWARDS.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE. No. 393,467.` Patented Nov. 27, 1888..,

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v 11 Sheets-#Sheen 9J W. J. EDWARDS.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 27, 1888.

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(No Model.)

11 Sheets-$heet 10.

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(No 111011111.) l l 11 sheets-sheet 11. y W. J. EDWAABDS.

GRADINGAND DITGHING MAGHINE.

No. 893,467. Pggented Nov. 27, 1888.

N. PETERS, PlwvLmwgrzpher, Wuhingion, D. C.

UNITED 'STATES PATENT Ori-Ica WILLIAM J. EDWARDS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO FREDERICK C.

AUSTIN, OF SAME PLACE.

GRADING AND DITCHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,467, dated November 27, 1888.

Application filed March 20, 1888. Serial No. 267,900. l (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that l, WILLIAM J. EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago,in the county ofCook and State ofIllinois,

haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Grading and Ditching Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is particularly designed as an improvement upon the construction of 1o grading and ditching machine characterized by Letters Patent No. 275,614 of the United States, issued to me on the th day of April, 1883, it being understood, however, that various features of improvement'herein involved I5 may, where applicable to other grading and ditching machines, be so employed.

The object of my inventiougenerally stated, is to increase the general efficiency and serviceability of a grading and ditching machine,

2o or grader and ditching-machiue7 as I prefer to term it.

Certain special objects herein involved and more particularly specified are to permit greater freedom of certain desirable movements on the part of the plow; to facilitate the proper positioning of the plow relatively to the elevator and with reference to the character of the soil; to apply the draft in plowing iu an improved way, in order, first, that 3o while the plow may freely line itself theplowbeam shall be kept from crowding against either the frame of the machine or the front wheel at the plow side thereof; secondly, that a caster-wheel, preferably carried at the forward end of the plow-beam, shall be maintained in proper running position with relation to any and all inclinations of the ground over which it travels; thirdly, that the casterwheel shall be prevented from running into 4o the front supporting-wheel at the plow side of the machine; fourthly, that the plow may more readily dodge obstructions and lineitself; fifthly, that when the plow is tilted for cutting sod the draft shall relieve the landside of the plow, and, finally, that the draft shall come upon the middle of the front axle, and hence any strain incurred by the main frame of the machine will be in a way best adaptedl to the capability of the main frame for resisting 5o strain.

Certain further objects are to facilitate and insure the deposit of stalks and trash onto the endless conveyerbelt; to improve the construction of the elevator; to provide along the elevator an improved construction of guideway; to prevent dirt from getting onto the lower leaf of the endless conveyer-belt; to facilitate both the prolongation and shortening up of the elevator; to facilitate the shortening up or the lengthening of the conveyer-belt proportionally to the desired length of the elevator; to provide certain improvements in the power-transmitting devices for operating the elevator-belt; to improve the running-gear of the machine and permit the application of such quantity of lubricating matter to the axles and their bearings as may insure easy running of the machine for a considerable length of time, and to provide certain novel and improved details tending to increase the strength, durability, and general efficiency of a grader and ditching-machine.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other useful ends my invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth, and particularly specifled in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents in side elevation the main portion of a grader and ditcher embodying my invention, the side illustrated being the one at which the plow is arranged for operation, and hence termed either the receiving or plow7 side of the machine in contradistinction to the opposite delivery side from which the plowedup earth is to be delivered from an elevator. Fig. 2 is a detail representing a section taken through the caster-wheel standard on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, and illustrating in plan the casterwheel scraper and its support, with the outer end portions of the arms upon which the caster-wheelis journaled broken away. Fig. Sis a detail representing a vertical section through the caster-wheel scraper and its support on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 represents in side elevation the delivery side of the main portion of 9 5 the grader and ditcher, the parts thereof above the platform being removed for convenience of illustration. The near rear supporting-wheel is also removed in this view. Fig. 5 represents in side elevation a-portion of the plowroo beam with a bracket attached thereto and the shiftingclnteh member.

adapted for establishing jointed or flexible connection between the plow-beam and a swinging controlling-bar, G, which latter is shown in cross-section. Fig. G represents a vertical section taken transversely through the plowbeam on the line 6 G, Fig. 5, and illustrates a portion of the edge of bar G, which, when said bar is in place, as in Fig. 1, will be its rear edge relatively to the front and rear ends of the diteher and grader. Fig. 7 represents in perspective the end portion ofthe bar G that is included in Fig. (i,the slotted plate 52,shown secured to the rear edge of the bar in said Fig. G, being, however, omitted in Fig. 7, in order to more clearly illustrate a kerfor recess formed in the end of the bar. Fig. S represents a vertical section taken transversely through the machine on the line S 8, Fig. 1, and looking toward the rea-r of the machine. Fig. 9 is a detail representing an adjustable hinged connection between the plow-beam and its rear controlling-bar, E, which said connection is adapted to take the place of the adjustable hinged connection shown in Fig. 3. In said Fig. 9 the plow-beam is shown in cross-section, as in Fig. 1, and a portion of the controlling-bar represented. Fig. 10 shows a portion of the elevator-belt understood to be passing around the beltdriving drum or roller at the delivery end of the elevator, and represents means for connecting the meeting ends of two adjacent belt-sections. Figs. 10"L and 10 are details illustrating the belt-fastening. Fig. 11 represents a vertical section taken transversely through the machine on the line 11 11, Fig. l, and looking toward the front end of the machine. Fig. 12 is a detail representing on a somewhat larger scale the slotted end of the bar 33 shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 rep resents in perspective a socketpiece adapted as a support for one end of the rear-beamcontrolling bar E, and designed to haveasliding pivotal connection with the slotted end portion of the iixed bar 33. Fig. 14 may be regarded as a sectional plan taken on a substantially horizontal plane just below the level of the main platform-frame or just below the main longitudinal sills of the body-frame, the design being to represent in top plan the principal portions of the machine below the sills or platform. In this view the deliveryend portion of the elevator is., for convenience of illustration, broken away,as is also the forward end portion of the plow-beam. Fig. 15 principally represents, partly in top plan and partly in horizontal section, the clutch and clutch-actuating device, whereby power can be applied foroperating asprocket herein employed for driving a link-belt, which in turn is to operate a belt-roller at the delivery end of the elevator. This view indicates in full lines the shiftingclutch member closed or in clutch and in dotted lines said member open or out of clutch. Fig. 16 is a face view of the clutch member 152, which is toothed to provide the sprocket. Fig. 17 is a like view of Fig. 1S represents in perspective one of a pair of boxes herein employed as journal-supports for a belt-roller at the receiving end of the elevator,said box being shown in top plan, Fig. 14. Fig. 19 represents alongitudinalsection taken. centrally through said box. Fig. 20 represents, on a somewhat larger scale, a section taken through the rear wheels and boxes for the rear axle on a vertical plane coincident with the axis of the axle,which latter is, however, for clearness of illustration, not shown in section. This View also represents the pawland-ratchet devices on the rear axle. Fig. 21 is an end o1' face view of the hub 139, shown keyed upon the rotary axle in Fig. 20, and represents the internal set of ratchet-teeth. Fig. 22 is a like view of the cap 143, provided with pawls for engaging the ratchet-teeth of the aforesaid hub, and shown in Fig. 20 secured to the hub of one of the supportingwheels. Fig. 23 represents a top plan view ofthe lower half of one of the boxes for the axle of Fig. 20, said lower half being exposed by removing the upper half,whch in the next succeeding gure is shown applied. Fig. 24 represents a section taken through one of' said axle-boxes on the line 24 24, Fig. 23, the upl per and lower halves or parts of the box being fitted together. Fig. 25 represents in perspective two sections of the elevator coupled together and secured in alignment, said sections being the one at the delivery end and the next preceding section. Fig. 26 represents a pair of the guide-guards or side-boards, F', shown in other views arranged over and parallel with the length of the elevator-belt, this particular view serving to more clearly represent a lock-joint between two abutting ends of such sides orguards and one oftheirsupporting attachments or arms, 82. Fig. 27 represents the abutting ends of the two guards or sideboards of the preceding figure and shows the locking device 011 a somewhat larger scale. Fig. 28 represents in perspective the two elevator-sections of Fig. 25 in position to separate their opposing ends, the object of this view being to illustrate a construction of break-joint whereby the elevator-sections can be detached from one another or connected together and brought into alignment, as may be required. Fig. 29 represents one of the connecting-hooks 111 of the preceding figure. Fig. 30 is a top plan view of several ot' the elevator-sections secured in alignment and illustrates a belt-driving roller arranged atthe delivery end of the elevator. This view also includes a portion ofthe link-belt and shows in horizontal section a shield, M, herein employed for covering the sprocket upon one of the driving-rollers journals. Fig. 31 is a longitudinal central section through Fig. 30 on line 31 31. Fig. 32 represents the abutting end portions of a couple of the longitudinal side bars of elevator-sections of the preceding figure and illustrates a form of coupling which, when found desirable, can be employed in ICO IIO

place of the hooks of Fig. 2S. Fig. 33 repre sents in perspective the coupling-plate of the preceding figure. Fig. 34 represents, on a larger scale, a section taken longitudinally through the belt-driving roller on line 34 34, Fig. 30. Fig. 35- is a section taken transversely through the elevator on line 35 35, Fig. 30. Fig. 36 represents asection taken on a vertical plane through the forward supporting-wheels, the boxes for their axle, and front bolster, the plane of this section being coincident with the aXis of the axle,which, however, is shown in elevation. Fig. 37 represents an end view of the axle and front bolster of the preceding ligure with the wheel removed, and shows a portion of the half-circle or fth-wheel and certain adjuncts, including a portion of the middle longitudinal sill, 3, of the platform or main frame of the machine. Fig. 38 is a detail representing in rear elevation certain bearings for the king-bolt of the preceding figure. Fig. 39 represents a vertical section taken through the front aXle on the line 39 39, Fig. 36, and shows in side elevation, on a somewhat larger scale, the kingbolt and its bearings.

The construction of the main frame herein represent-ed is in many respects similar to that illustrated in my former patent, and while it is understood that no limitation is placed upon such construction it is desirable to briefly refer to the arrangement shown in order to more conveniently locate by description certain attachments, some of which, as will be hereinafter seen, in addition to other functions, tend -to improve the general construction ofthe frame, which is desirably made as light as may be compatible with necessary strength. The principal portion of the structure herein illustrated comprises a horizontal rectangular body or platform frame, A, adapted at certain points for operatives to stand upon, and supported upon front and rear bolsters,which are in turn supported from the front and rear wheeled axles.

rlhe body or platform .frame may include the two longitudinally-arranged side sills, 1 and 2, and a middle longitudinal sill, 3, secured at their ends to the front and rear bolsters and at points intermediate of the twobolsters connected together by two or more lower cross-sills,4 and 5,and a corresponding pair of upper crosssills, 6 and 7.

B indicates the plow-beam suspended alongside the machine and carrying a plow, C, suitable for the work required in a machine of this character.

The plow-standard 8 is, for the sake of combined strength and lightness, made of channel-iron and pivotally attached to the beam by a pivot-bolt, 9, having its bearings in plates secured to opposite sides of the beam. By thus pivotally hanging the plow from the beam the plow can be swung about its pivotal support in order to determine the angle of penetration. As a means' for securing the plow in such adjustment, it is provided with a rearwardly-arranged and upwardly-extending arm or bar, 10, attached at ,its lower end to the plow and at its upper end adjustably connected with a segmentplate, 11', Figs. 1 and 4, which is secured to the beam and provided with aseries of bolt-holes for such pin or bolt as may be employed for connecting the arm 10 with the segment-plate. The arm 10, while serving to permit the plow to be set at a desired angle, also serves as a brace which will effectively resist all ordinary strain to which the plow may be subjected by the resistance opposed to progress. Should, however, the plow meet with a sudden and impassable resistance or barrier during the advancement of the machine, the pin or bolt by which arm 10 is attached tothe segment-plate will be cut off by the arm and the plow permitted to yield until the machine can be stopped, in place of a general breakage of either theplow orits connection with the beam through the pivoted standard 8. The plow and its standard are, therefore, to be made of considerable strength, and to such end the channel-iron standard subserves a useful purpose. As a further simple means for bracing the plow, the moldboard is connected with the channel-iron plow-standard by a short bent brace-rod,12, Fig. 14, bolted both to the mold-board and to the plowstandard.

The plow can be placed under the control of an operator standing upon a platform on the body-frame A, substantially as in my former patent, to which end the forward end of the plow-beam can be quickly raised or lowered to give to it the required running depth by means of a rope or chain, 13, Fig. 1, attached tothe forwardend portion oi" the plowbeam and carried up over a pulley, 14, to a short rotary drum or shaft, 15, which is mounted in a bearing, 16, Fig. 8. above the main body-frame and provided with ahand-wheel, 17, whereby the operator can raise and lower the forward end of the plow-beam at will. The somewhat elongated bearing 16 is herein shown as a support Vfor the end portion of shaft 15 next adjacent to the hand-wheel, and as a means for further steadying the opposite end of the shaft said end is mounted in a short bearing, 1S, at the upper end of an inclined brace-rod, 19, which inclines downwardly toward the forward end of the machine, and is at its lower end secured to the side sill, 1, wherebyit isarrangedin position to best withstand the pull of chain 13 on the shaft 15. The rear end of the plow-beam can also be raised and lowered at will by an attendant standing upon the machine, the chain 20 for this purpose beiugat one end connected with the rear portion of the plow-beam and at its remaining end attached to a rotary drum or shaft, 21, which is arranged longitudinally with relation to the length ofthe machine and mounted in bearings on the prongs or forks of a doublearmed bearingpiece, 22.

The shaft21 is provided with asuitable handwheel, 23, and the double-armed bearing-piece ICO IIO

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22 is secured upon a standard, 24, rising from the main body-frame and suitably secured to a convenient portion thereof-such, for example, as the side sill, 1. The bearing 16 for the rotary winding-shaft 15 is formed upon one of the bearings for the winding-shaft 2l, in which way the standard 2i also sustains a bearing for the winding-shaft l5, that is arranged transversely to the length ofthe machine, while by the presence of rod 19 the provision of an additional standard is rendered unnecessary. Locking devices are employed for locking the aforesaid hand-wheels as soon as the ends of the plow-beam have been raised or lowered to the required extent, and these locking devices can be arranged as in my former patent or in any other desirable way.

The standard or bracket 25, arranged at one of the forward corners of the main body frame as a support for maintaining pulley 14 at the desired elevation, is simply provided at its base with two arms or legs, one of which is secured to the side sill, 1, and the other secured to the front bolster of the running-gear.

The plow-beam carries at a point in advance of the plow a rolling colter, herein shown connected with the plow-beam by an attachment which 1 have made the subject of an application for Letters Patent of even date herewith, although, if desired, other constructions of rolling-colter attachments could, as a mattei' of course, be employed. The plowbeam is capable of a limited end play or movement, the extent of its forward movement being governed by a chain, 26, Fig. 1, attached to the beam at a point preferably in advance of the eolter. This chain can be simply caught at some desired point along the upper portion of its length upon a hook, 27, secured to the side sill, l, at a point somewhat to the rear of the point ofattachment of the chain to the beam, so as to extend back in opposition to the draft upon the plow-beam. In this way the extent to which the plow-beam may be drawn forward can be determined by the length of chain between the plow-beam and the point at which the chain is attached to the main body-frame of the machine.

The rear end of the plow-beam is flexibly or pivotally connected with a bar, E, which is arranged transversely, or substantially so, to the plow-beam and capable of several distinctive movemenls-namely. a horizontal swing or vibratory motion in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane, a vertical swing or vibratory motion in a vertical or substantially vertical plane, and an end movement or longitudinal rcciprocatory action. As a means for permitting such movements on the part of bar E,it is at one end connected with theplowbeam by a hinge or pivotal `joint and at its other end pivotally attached by a vertical pivot bolt or pin, 2S, Fig. 14, to a bearing, 29, which is supported so as to be capable of both asliding movelnent in a direction transversely with relation to the plow-beam and a rotary play about a horizontal axis. This bearing 29 preferably consists of a socket-piece adapted to receive the bar E and provided with boltholes in its top and bottom sides for the pin or bolt 28, one of said bolt-holes, 30, being shown in Fig. 13. Said socket-piece is also provided with a laterally-projecting stud or pivot, 3l, engaging in a guideslot, 32, which can be formed in any suitable bearing piece or lixture, but which is herein shown formed in the lower portion of an inclined bracebar, 33, thatis at its lower end secured to any suitable fixture-such, for example, as a frame-bar, 34, attached to and depending from the side sill, 2and atits upper end secured tothe mid dle longitudinal sill, 3, of the body-frame, as shown, for example, in Fig. 11. The pendent support 3l is arranged in rear ot' the elevator-that is to say, between the elevator and the rear axle-whereby the bar E will be arranged at a point where it may have the desired extent of horizontal swing without interfering with the elevator.

The bar E is capable of a limited extent of 9o lateral vibratory play in the socket-piece 29, it being seen that a slight vibratory play of the bar in such socket piece or bearing will permit a much greater extent of swing on the part of its end that is connected with the plow-beam, and that such swing is intended to be and in practice is ample for all practical purposes. The bar E is also provided with a line of vertical bolt-holes, as indicated at 35, Fig. 11, whereby an end adjustment of this freely-swinging and longitudinally-reciprocatory bar can be readily effected by a transfer' of the pin 28 from one to another of such boltholes.

The end adjustment oi' bar E is to be made with reference to the position of the plow relatively to the lower receiving end ofthe elevator F, having an endless apron or belt upon which the soil is received from the plow and carried up and over to one side of the machine, it being understood that for different soils it is desirable that the plow shall work more or less closely to the receiving end of the elevator, the working position of the plow in this respect being determined by the character of the soil delivered from the plow to the elevater. The end or longitudinal play of the bar E allows the plow to line itself to different soils and to dodge to one side or the other to avoid obstructions or adapt itself to the character of the ground, which is frequently such as to render it difficult for the plow as a whole to pursue an exact rectilineal course. This play on the part of the plow is permitted by reason ofthe sliding pivotal connection between tlle bar E and a guideway, such as set forth, which said connection also permits the rise and fall of the rear end of the plow-beam. The horizontal vibratory swing of bar E permits an end movement on the part of the plowbeam, whereby the plow can be made to Work farther forward or more to the rear relatively to the receiving end of the elevator, it being also desirable to position the plow in this re- IOO IOS

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speet with reference to its delivery of different soils to the elevator. Thelimit of the forward end movement of the plow-beam can be determined by the chain 26, while the limit of its end movement in a rearward direction can be determined by an adjustment in length of the draft-chain hereinafter described.

The hinge or pivotal connection between the vibratory and reciprocating bar E and the plow-beam involves an adjustable bearing, whereby the plow can be tilted to one side with reference to the cut to be made-as, for example, in cutting sod it is desirable to tilt the plow to one side, so as to make a clean eut iustead of a tearing eut. In several of the figures this adjustable hinge-connection between bar E and the plow-beam is similar to a connection shown in my said patent between the rear end of the plow-beam and a transversely-arranged bar having a sliding pivotal connection with a supporting bracket or hanger, such connection (see, for example, Fig. 8) consisting of a hinge-pintle plate or leaf, 36, provided with one or more curved slots for bolts, by which it is adjustably attached to bar E and connected with the plow-beam B by a pintle or pivotbolt, 37, having its bearings in a bracket, 38, secured to the plow-beam and at its ends extending through eyes or pintle-sockets on the plate 36. A simplified adjustable hinge-connection between the bar E and plow-beam is, however, shown in Fig. 9, wherein the connection comprises a stout metal strap or flat bar, 39, secured to the lower edge of bar E and projecting to some extent from the end of the bar, and an inclined rod or bar, 40, having at its lower end a slot, 41, for a bolt, 42, by which it can be adjustably secured to the bar E. These bars'39 and 40 are at their ends next to the plow-beam provided with eyes for a pivotbolt, 43, which can be attached to the beam or any suitable bracket thereon-such, for example, as to the bracket 38, hereinbefore described. In this way, by adjusting the rod or bar 40 in its connection with bar E, the plow can be tilted to one side to the required extent.

The forwardlyarranged swinging bar G, which, like the bar E, is employed to control the movements of the plow, is arranged transversely with relation to the plow-beam and attached thereto by a flexible or hinged connection. The bar G is capable of both a vertical and a horizontal swing or vibratory motion, and is further susceptible of an end or longitudinal adjustment. As a means for permitting such movements on the part of the bar G, it is at one end flexibly connected with the beam and at its opposite end pivotally attached to a support, 44, (see, for example, Fig. 4,) by a vertical pivot pin or bolt, 45. This pivot permit-s a horizontal swing on the part of the bar G in correspondence with a similar swing on the part of the rearward controlling-bar, E, so as to allow an end movement of the plowbeam, for purposes hereinbefore mentioned. This pivotal connection between one end of the bar G and the support 44, or other suitable bearing for such end of the bar, permits the latter to swing in a vertical or substantially vertical plane in unison with such rise and fall of either the forward end of the plowbeam or of the entire plow-beam, as the case may be, it being understood that in either instance the greatest extent of rise and fall that may be incurred by the end of bar G that is ilexibly attached to the plow-beam will necessitate so slight a motion on the part of the pivotally-supported end of the swinging bar that the vertical pivot 45, simply inserted through a hole of proper diameter in the swinging bar, will, for all practical purposes, permit such end tilt or vertical swing on the part of said bar.

The bars E and G, being pivotally supported independently of one another, may therefore, so far as the rise and fall of the plow and'plowbeam is concerned, either tilt or swing in unison or otherwise, accordingly as the beam may either rise and fall equally at both ends or tilt, as the case may be. The bar G- is also adjustvable endwise, for which purpose it is provided with a series of boltholes, 46, Fig. 14, for the removable pivot 45, in which way the bar can be adjusted longitudinally by selecting one or another of such holes for the pivot. hen the plow is tipped to one side forcutting sod by adjusting the hinged connection between bar E andthe plow-beam, as hereinbeforeset forth, the bar G and also the bar E can be adj usted in order to shift the plow-beam laterally and to an extent to prevent theplow from running into or working in too close proximity to the receiving end of the elevator. On the other hand,these two bars can be adjusted endwise, so as to shift the plow-beamlaterally, and thereby vary the distance between the plow and the receiving end of the elevator whether the plow be tilted to one side or not. Thus, for plowing up and delivering loose soil to theelevator, the plow should work closer to the elevator than in plowing and delivering clay or other soil having more body and permitting the plow to make a wider furrow.

In my said former patent the draft upon the plow is attained by a draftchain connected at its forward end with the main body-frame at one of the front corners thereof and at its rear end attached to the plow-beam at a point adjacent to the plow, the line of such draft-chain being oblique or diagonal relatively to the length of the plow-beam, for purposes therein set forth. In the machine herein involved t-he draft is from the pole or middle point of the front axle, and is attained by extending the draft-chain H back from such point and attaching it to the forward controlling-bar, G. In this way, in place of drawing obliquely from one cornerof the machine in a direction tending to diamond the main body-frame, the draft is in a direction coincident with the length of the machine and midway of its longitudinal sides, whereby all pull upon the machine tends to square its frame, since such.

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pull is in a direction with the longitudinal. sills of the frame and transverse to its cross-sills. This change from a side draft to a center draft not only adds materially to the life or period of usefulness of the machine and avoids frequent repairs, but also permits the saine to be made with less bracing.

The dralt-chain is made adjustable in length in any suitable way-for example, by au adjustable link or connection, 47, interposed along its length, as in Fig. 14, whereby the limit ofthe rearward swing of the bar G can be varied in order to cause the plow to work more or less forward or back relatively to the receiving end ofthe elevator. In this connection provision is made for shifting the pivotal end of bar G to the front or rear, so as to permit the bodily lateral adjustment of the bar either forward or back. By thus limitingr the extent of swing to the rear on the part of bar G,by positioning the pivotally-supported end of said bar and properly adjusting the length of the draw-cliain, the plow can be permitted to work farther forward or back relatively to the receiving end of the elevator and with reference to the character of the soil, it being desirable to work the plow farther back relatively to the receiving end of the elevator for loose soil than for clay or like earth. This adjustment of the pivotally-supported end of the bar G can be readily attained by providing lfor its removable pin or pivot-bolt l5 a series of bolt-holes in the support 4&1-, a line of such holes, 4S, being shown on the upper portion of such support in Fig. 14.

In order that the draft upon the plow may be in aline coincident with the plow-beam and from a point in front of the mold-board, the hinge or flexible connection between the plowbeam and the bar G is made at a point to one side of the plow-bcam and in front of the moldboard of the plow. ln this way, the draft through the draft-chain H being on the bar G, and thc connection between such bar and the plow-beam being in front of the mold-board, the draft will act as a landside or greatly relieve the landside of the plow. This arrangement also serves to keep the plow-beam from crowding against or running into either the side of the machine or such oneof the front wheels as the plow-beam may be extended alongside of, and further serves to maintain a caster-wheel, I, at the forward end of the plowbeam atall times in properposition relatively to the surface of the ground over which it is traveling. Said feature is also particularly serviceable in positioning the caster-wheel to run up banks or furrows or run alonginclined banks at a time in the process of road-making when suoli banks incline downwardly toward the lowest level traversed by the main supporting front wheel that is opposite the casterwheel, and also prevents the caster-wheel from getting under or ruiming under such main front supporting-wheel.

As an eliicient connection between the bar G and the plow-beam, the latter' is provided with a bracket which inclincs outwardly from the plow-beam and is provided at a point properly remote from the plowbeam with a horizontal pivot, 49. (Best shown in Figs. 5 and 6.) The bar G is at its end nearest the plow-beam provided with a horizontally-cut kerf or recess, 50, Fig. 7, for the reception 0f said horizontal pivot, which extends through said recess in a direction transversely to the bar G and parallel with the plow-beam.

To the front edge of bar G is secured a plate, 51,which, if preferred, may extend the entire length of the bar to strengthen the same, and in said plate is formed a pivot-hole arranged opposite the recess 5() in the bar and adapted for the reception of the pivot 49 ata point adjacent to what may be termed the forward end ofthe pivot relatively to the machine in which it is employed.

To the rear edge of bar G is secured a plate, 52, Fig. 6, which is extended alongside the recess in the bar and opposite such recess provided with a longitudinal slot, 53, for thepassagc ofthe rear end portion of the pivot. The hanger is provided with two pivotvbearings, respectively opposite the front and rear edges of the bar, and adapted for supporting the front and rear ends of the pivot, a simple construction of bracket-support for the pivot being an inclined arm or bar, 5l, secured at its upper end to the plow-beam and at its lower end provided with a bearing, 55, for one end of the pivot, and a somewhat similarlyseeured and arranged inclined arm, 56, provided at its lower end with a bearing, 57, for the forward ICO end ofthe pivot, and having at a point above 4 such bearing a diver-ging brace-arm, 5S, that is secured to the plow-beam. It is, however, herein understood that other forms or constructions of hangers or brackets could be employed for a like purpose.

The foregoing construction ofconnection between the bar G and the plow-beam adapts it to the movements of the bar and plow-beam, it being seen that during an end movement of the plow-beam and a horizontal swing on the part of bar G the are traversed by the end of such bar next adjacent to the plow-beam will eausethe rear end portion of the pivot to be drawn toward one or the other of the ends of slot 53, according to the direction in which the plow-beam and bar G are moved, and also that such connection affords a joint which permits the beam to be inclined to one side in tilting the plow.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the devices herein illustrated for supporting the independentlyarranged front and rear plowbeamcontrolling bars E and G operate substantially as universal joints, both adjustable in position upon fixtures or supports on the main frame of the machine, the joint for the rear bar, E, being also a sliding joint to permit lateral play or automatic side movement on the part of the rear end of the plow-beam; also, that by`means of such joints a ready end adjustment can be given both of said two controllingbars, and also that the joint for the forward bar, G, can be shifted in a direction coincident with the line of progression.

The working position of the plow during the work it will have a perfect freedom and ease of movement, permitting it to line itself and otherwise adapt itself to the work to be performed without unduly straining any of its guiding or controlling adjunets.

With reference to the action of bar G, the support or bearing for its vertical pivot at the end farthest from the plow-beam can obviously be of any suitable construction; but as a special construction of support herein also utilized as a brace the support 44 consists of a proximately rectangular loop or oblong socket formed at the lower end of an upwardly-inclined and forwardlyextending brace-rod, 59, (see particularly Fig. 4,) which is at its upper end secured to the side sill, 2, of the bodyframe, the lower loop' portion, 44, of such rod being secured to and serving to brace one of the standards of a frame for supporting certain sprockets for the elevator raising and lowering chains, hereinafter more particularly referred to. In this connection it may be observed that the lower substantially rectangular eye or loop, 44, at the lower end of the brace-rod 59 serves as a most efficient bearing for the pivot-bolt 45, since both its upper and lower horizontal portions can be provided with bolt-holes, so as to afford bearings for the pivot-bolt both above and below the bar G. This loop or pivot bearing 44 is also preferably braced by a rod, 60, arranged diagonally to the length of the main body-frame, and at its ends attached, respect ively, to the cross-sill 4 and the loop 44, asindicated in Figs. l and 4, in which way, while the lower portion ol' the upright 101 is in one direction braced by the rod 59, it is in effect braced in a direction oblique to the rod 59.

As an extremely simple means for holding the plow down to its work in hard or baked soil, the plow-beam is at its rear end provided with a standard, 6l, Figs. l and S, which rises from the plow-beam to within convenient reach ofthe foot of an attendant standing upon arear platform, 62. The standard is at its upper end provided with asuitable foot rest, 63, the whole constituting a foot-piece or presser-bar, whereon the attendant may withoutdelay throw sufficient of his weight to keep the plow down to its work.

At the forward end oftheplow-beani a hollow standard, 64, for the caster-wheel is clamped against the end of the beam by clamps 65, 4the beam being preferably concaved, so as to form a seat for such standard. Upon the lower end of this hollow standard 64 is swiveled a hub, 66,-vas in Fig. 3, a convenient arrangement being to provide a two-part hub having an internallyarrangcd annular groove, 67, wherein the heads of a cross-bolt, 68, extending through the standard, can be received preparatory to bolting the two parts of the hub together. This hub is provided with a laterallyarranged proXimately V-shaped bearing for a scraper, 70, which is adjustably bolted upon such b earing and extended rearwardly therefrom into position for freeing the caster-wheel from such dirt as, in road and ditch making, will otherwise adhere to the caster-wheel to an extent to seriously interfere with its free running.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, it will be observed that the support or bearing 69,while adapted to extend somewhat over the casterwheel to provide a firm and reliable support for the scraper, has its under side curved in a direction forwardly away from the periphery ofthe caster-wheel,so that from the point where the lower side of the support or bearing 69 is nearest the rim of the wheel the space between the two from such point forward widens rapidly. The result of this arrangement is that should any loose earth be left on the wheel by the scraper and carried forward by the rotation of the wheel it will run off in place of collecting between the wheel and the under side of the scraper support or bracket 69.

The caster-wheel is journaled in boxes pro vided at the lower ends of a pair of arms, 7l, which are bolted to the hub 66 and from such hub inclined downwardly to the rear. The boxes are desirably adapted to contain a suitable quantity of lubricant and constructed so as to effectively exclude dirt. The casterwheel, in conjunction with the scraper, constitutes aserviceahle and important feature in a practically successful grader and ditcher, and is particularly applicable to the class of work to be performed.

The elevator F is arranged transversely with relation to the length of the machine and eX- tended under the main body-frame, so as to bring its receiving end in position to receive the earth from the plow, which delivers the soil onto the endless traveling elevator-apron t or conveyer-belt 72, thereby permitting the belt to convey the same upwardly to the discharge end ofthe elevatorand there discharge the same either onto the road or into a wagon, as the case may be.

The elevator comprises in its general construction one or more (but preferably a plurality of) frames or sections arranged to constitutea desir-ably longjointed roll-supporti ng frame, which carries a suitable power-driven roll for operating the endless belt, and idlerrolls for supporting and permitting the free running of the same.

The elevator is provided with a longitudinally-arranged guideway extending over and along the belt from the receiving end to the discharge end of the elevator, and having its sides arranged to keep the dirt and other matters delivered from the plow to the belt from running off the side edges of the belt, thereby permitting the belt which constitutes the bot- IOC IIO

tom of such guideway to conduct the dirt and other matters from the point of reception to the proper point ol` discharge. In addition to the desirability ot' causing the plow to work in such position relatively to the receiving end oi" the elevator and character of soil to be delivered as will cause a proper delivery of the plowedup soil onto the belt, it is highly desirable and important that all trash plowed up-trash such as stalks, wild sunilowers, and the like-shall be properlyguided and delivered inlo the aforesaid guideway ot' the elevator, thereby not only preventing the same i'rom being left behind, but, what is of great importance, preventing such matters from getting caught either about the iournals or `iournalboxes l'or the belt-roll at the receiving end ol" the elevator or about any other parts ofthe machine at such locality, it being found that the first arrestment of any stalks or trash at such points induces such rapid subsequent accumulation of like matters as to require a stoppage ofthe machine and a loss of much time in removing the obstructions. lo avoid such objectionable features in a grader and ditching-machine, one of the guides or sides F ol' the guidcway along the elevator is at the receiving end of the elevator extended from such point by a curved guard, K, which, in etleet, forms a prolongation of the guide arranged iirst to diverge from the opposite corresponding guide F in a direction toward the plow and to then sheerof' reversely in a direction forwardly and away from the plow, as best illustrated in Fig. 14. rlhis arrangement ot' guard K relatively to the receiving end ot' the elevator and the plow serves to efl'ecti vel y cause trash-such as stalks and the like-to be guided to and thrown upon the elevator-belt between the guides F', which extend longitudinally along such belt,and, moreover, serves to prevent such trash from being thrown over either thejourrlals of the belt-roll at the receiving end of the elevator or the boxes 73, that are provided for said journals. Should the guides F be made of metal, the end of one of such guides could be bent to form the guard K. The guides Fare, however, for the sake ol' both economy and lightness, formed of wooden boards, and in such case the guard K is formed by a bent metal plate secured at one end to the guide and at its opposite end secured to the upturned end of a bar or plate, 7i, arranged transversely to the length ol' the elevator and secured to the lower edges of the elevator-frame at points substantially below the belt-roll 75, Fig. 8, at the receiving end ot' the elevator. The guard K thus arranged also drops somewhat from its rear end, that is secured to the guide to its forward end,that is secured to plate 74, as illustrated in Fig. 1, in which way, while the face of the curved guard opposite the plow may be vertical,or nearly so, the guard as a whole lowers or inclines toward its forward end. The bar or plate 74 serves both to brace the elevator at the receiving end and to support the guard K, which latterserves in turn to support the forward end of the guide F', to which it is attached, and brace such guide against earth thrown against it from the plow.

The guard K is stationed at one side of the plow, but set forward and away from the plow to an extent to permit free passage ofthe soil from the plow to the elevator, but will be found of extreme utility as a means for causing stalks and the like to be properly deposited upon the elevator. Should, however, any stalks or the like pass between the plow and elevator withoutbeing directed by the conjoint action ofthe guard and plow onto the belt in the first instance, the guide F', which is to the rear relatively1 to the advancement of the machine, will force such stalks or trash onto the belt by reason of the prolongation ci' its forward end beyond the point where the elevator-belt passes around the front belt-roll, 75, as at 76. This extended end 76 of one of the guides or side-boards of the elevator-guideway is supported and steadied by a curved bar, 77, which is secured both to the guide and to the plate 74, that is attached to the under side of the elevator-frame.

The elevator-frame, while practically a long frame extending continuously substantially from the receiving to the delivery end of the elevator, is desirably divided into a plurality of sections, thc lirst division back ot' the re ceiving end of the elevator' being principally made to afford a joint adapted to allow the portion ofthe elevator which extends out laterally from the machine to el'teet a side delivery from the latter to be readily raised and lowered, while the next succeeding divisions occurring along such laterally-extended portion of the elevator are to permit it to be shortcned up or leugthened by the removal ot' a sec tion. These several frame-sections of the elcvator preferably involve a substantially similar construction, thereby preserving a substantial uniformity or" structure throughout the entire length of sectional frame. rIhe construction herein shown consists of a pair of oppositely-arranged upper side bars, 78, as best shown in Figs. 25, 28, and 35, and a pair of lower oppositelyarranged side bars, 79. The upper' and lower bars are separated by suitable blocks arranged at intervals along the frame and the whole braced and connected together by appropriate cross-bars, some of which are desirably arranged transverse to the length of the frame and others diagonally to such length.

The ripper' longitudinally-arranged side bars are provided with appropriate bearings for a series of idler-rolls, 80, employed for supporting the upper leaf of the elevator-belt, the bearings for such roll'journals being at points to set these upper idler-rolls somewhat higher than the top edges of the said upper side bars, 7S, in which way the belt can be made of sufficient width to extend over the upper longitudinal edges of the side bars 78, as illustrated in Fig. 35. The spaces occurring alongside IOO the frame'by reason of the elevation of its side bars 78 relatively to its side bars 79 are covered by shields or plates 8l, secured along their longitudinal edges to the upper edges of the upper side bars, 78, and along their lower longitudinal edges secured to the lower side bars, 79. The boards forming the guides F are arranged over the elevator-belt and raised therefrom to an extent to prevent frictional contact between the belt and guides, which latter are held and braced in position by curved supportingbars 82, secured at their upper turned-down ends to the outer sides of the guideboards and at their lower ends secured to the lower side bars, 79, of the frame.

The shields or plates 8l, which may be said to form sides or side coverings for the elevatorframe, slope outwardly from the edge portions of the belt, which, as illustrated in Fig. 35, is of sufficient width to discharge any dirt that may work its way under the guides F onto the sloping side plates or side coverings, 8l, of the main frame. In this way the plates or frame-sides 8l will shed any dirt that may find its way to the outer edges of the belt, and by reason of the arrangement of the upper leaf of the belt relatively to the frame-sides 8l such dirt as may fall ott' the edges of the upper leaf of the belt will be prevented from getting onto the lowerleafof the belt, it being understood that the falling of dirt within the elevator-frame would soou tend to clog up its operative parts and render necessary a stoppage of the machine and the laborious task of cleaning out such accumulation of dirt.

By setting the upper side framebars at a less distance apart than that at which the lower side framebars, 79, are relatively arranged, the slope of the plates or frame-sides 8l is readily attained, and at the same time provision made whereby the belt can have its sideedgcs extended somewhat beyond the ends of the upper belt-rolls, 80, and brought into position to discharge any waste dirt onto the sloping frame-sides 81.

The guides F are preferably arranged somewhat back from the edges of the held-that is to say, somewhat toward the longitudinal middle line of the bclt--which arrangement is conveniently attained by the supports 82. By this disposition of the guides better results can be attained than where the edge of the belt travels directly opposite the vertical face ofa side wall or side-board, particularly since in the latter instance an objectionable quantity of the dirt that is being carried along by the belt will sift between the guide and edge of the belt.

The portion of the elevator-frame which extends under the main body or platform frame A of the machine can be made in one length or frame-section, while the remaining portion ofthe frame, that is arranged to extend from the delivery side of the machine, can be composed of oneor more'lengths orframesections, as may be desired. To permit a free and desired extent of rise and fall on the part of such portion of the elevator as projects from the delivery side of the machine, and also to allow the same to be swung out of the way when the services of the plow and elevator are not required, the frame-section of the elevator next succeeding the frame-section that is suspended under the main or platform frame A can be and herein is suspended from the main body-frame of the machine separately from the tirst or lower frame-section of the elevator that is suspended from the main body or platform frame, in place of being directly hinged to said lower frame-section. Y if The devices herein shown for suspending and adjusting the frame-section of the elevator that is arranged under the main body or platform frame A and the devices for raising and lowering the portion of the elevator that is arranged as a prolongation of said section are substantially the same as in my former patent-that is to say, the frame section of the elevator which is arranged below the platform-frame A,and which constitutes the receiving end portion of the elevator, is at the receiving end suspended by raising and lowering chains 83 from a rotary winding drum or shaft, 84. This windingshaft 84 is mounted upon an elevated frame, L, that rises from the. main body or platform frame of the machine, and is provided with a hand-wheel, 85, by which it can be operated by an attendant standing upon the rear platform, 62. ln this connection suitable meanssuch as a pawl'and-ratchet device (shown at 86)-can be used for temporarily locking the windingshaft 84 against rotation. The higher end portion of the aforesaid frame-section of the elevatonwhich is toward the delivery side of the machine, is suspended from the crosssills 4 and 5 of the body or platform frame by swinging arms or straps S7, Figs. 8 and 1l, which straps are provided with several pivotholes for the pivot-bolts by which they are pivotally attached to the sills, in which way an adjustment of such connections between the body-frame and this end portion of the elevator can beamade when desired. The said elevatorAframe section is also further placed under control of an attendant by the inclined connectingrods 88, pivotally attached at their lower ends to the said elevator-frame section at points toward its higher end,that is nearest the delivery side of the machine, and at their upper ends connected with cranks or arms 89 (one of which is shown in Fig. 8) upon a horizontal rock-shaft,90. The rock-shaft 90 is arranged longitudinally with relation to the length of the machine and supported in bearings in or upon the cross-sills 4 and 5 and the rear bolster, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. l, and is extended back to the rear of the machine, whereat a hand-lever, 91, is provided for operating such rock-shaft and a swinging toothed bar, 92, arranged for locking the hand-lever after it has been operated to adjust the elevatorsection. y

The vertically swinging or tilting portion IOC IIO 

